Country Financial reports Illinois had fewer farm-related deaths in the 12 months ending June 30 than it had in any of the previous 35 years.

Twelve deaths were reported during the 2012-13 year, down from 20 in 2011-12 and 38 in 2010-11, according to company records.

During the past year, four deaths were attributed to tractor roll-overs or run-overs, and four were attributed to roadway collisions.

The other four stemmed from miscellaneous causes, including grain bin suffocation and a fall from a hayride trailer.

The company's observers say increased awareness as a result of campaigns by the Grain Handling Safety Coalition helped prevent accidents.

A smaller and dry crop also worked in a positive favor last year, noting there weren't many reasons for farmers to enter grain bins and break up crusted grain.Most of the year's roadway collisions happened around dusk.

Rural motorists should be extra careful in the dark. Sharing the road becomes more difficult as the sun goes down.